February 2008
Early morning at Stodmarsh.
16/02/08
Great Crested Grebes, on the main lake at Stodmarsh.
I had a couple of hours at Stodmarsh this morning, mostly watching Great Crested Grebes, displaying to each other on the main lake. Although to far from the bank for decent photographs, they looked smart in the early morning sunshine. Nothing out of the ordinary was seen, but a female Hen Harrier was spotted hunting over the reed bed on the North Eastern corner of the lake. It was watched for about 3 or 4 minutes, before flying off towards the railway line. Several Cetti's Warblers were noted, seen and heard, staking out there territorial claims. 2 Kingfishers flew low over the water and a Chiffchaff was seen by the Reed bed hide. 3 Marsh Harriers were noted throughout my stay. I decided to call in at Grove ferry, on my way home, but the sunshine had bought out all the photographers, and there was standing room only in the Turf field hide. with the cramped conditions, I decided to check out the Harrison's Drove hide. 2 Magpies, a solitary Water Pipit and a Green Woodpecker was as good as it got, so it was an early return home for me, noting 5 Tufted Ducks on the pool in front of the Turf field hide, now visible from the path after the recent workings that have been undertaken around the hide area. I did not bother looking from the ramp, as the sun was now high in the sky, and any waders or wildfowl would of been silhouetted against the bright glare.